Meet Andrea: A Journey of Passion, Growth, and Holistic Wellness

I'm excited to share a bit about myself with you. I wear many hats in life: I'm a mom, a loving wife, and a professional nurse specializing in the biotech industry. But that's not all; I'm also a certified yoga therapist, a 500-hour yoga instructor, and a Certified Conscious Parenting Coach Practitioner. My life is a colorful tapestry woven with various passions and commitments that contribute to my journey of personal growth and well-being.

My professional journey began in the challenging field of nursing. This environment taught me the critical importance of care and compassion. However, it was through yoga that I discovered a path to holistic wellness. Nineteen years ago, I started practicing yoga to combat debilitating anxiety and panic attacks. The pressures of nursing school and family life had left me exhausted and inactive. Almost immediately, yoga brought me relief, significantly reducing my anxiety and eliminating panic attacks. This transformative experience ignited a passion within me, even though teaching yoga wasn't originally on my radar.

It wasn't until 2017 that I decided to dive into yoga teacher training. I fell in love with the idea of sharing yoga with others, especially the hot vinyasa style, which became my sanctuary. I was in the studio every day, feeling strong and confident that my anxiety was under control—or so I thought.

In 2019, after giving birth to my daughter, my anxiety returned with a vengeance. Despite my efforts in prenatal yoga and hypnobirthing classes, I was overwhelmed by a wave of emotions. My traumatic birth experience led to postpartum depression and anxiety, compounded by multiple physical issues like sciatica, diastasis recti, and pelvic floor dysfunction. These challenges kept me from returning to jiu jitsu and made my usual hot power vinyasa practice unbearable.

I sought help from a yoga therapist who completely transformed my approach to yoga. She introduced me to new tools and deepened my understanding, making yoga a healing practice rather than just a physical one. This experience was life-changing, both for my personal well-being and for how I teach yoga today. It inspired me to become a certified yoga therapist, empowering me to share this wisdom with others.

Today, my yoga practice is primarily therapeutic. I continuously attune to my needs and recalibrate using tools like mantra chanting, Ayurveda, yoga nidra, and breathwork.

My journey through postpartum depression and anxiety was further illuminated by the teachings of Dr. Shefali Tsabary in "The Conscious Parent" and "The Awakened Family." Working with one of her advisors, a psychotherapist and a Conscious Parenting Coach, helped me navigate the first challenging year of motherhood. Inspired by this experience, I decided to become a Certified Conscious Parenting Coach Practitioner, aiming to support other moms in a truly holistic way.

Outside of my professional life, I'm an avid reader and a lover of sushi, pizza, and mocktails. I also hold a brown belt in Brazilian jiu jitsu and am a CrossFit newbie. These interests reflect my core values of lifelong learning, holistic wellness, and unwavering support for mothers.

I firmly believe that women can be more than one thing. We can be present and loving moms while pursuing our dreams and finding joy in our endeavors. Moms don't have to give up who they are; they can embrace their many identities and thrive. My journey is a testament to this belief, and I'm committed to helping others find their own paths to well-being and fulfillment.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know me! I'm looking forward to connecting with you and sharing more about my journey and the things I'm passionate about.